It added that the death of Nazir could "prove to be a contentious issue between Washington and Islamabad."

Drone attacks have been repeatedly condemned by Pakistan as violation of its sovereignty, which insists that most of the victims are civilians, including women and children.

However, Nazir is believed to have struck a peace deal with Pakistan's leadership under which he would not conduct militant operations on Pakistani soil.

However, while Pakistan's military viewed militants commanded by Nazir as "key to keeping the peace internally because they do not attack Pakistani targets," the AP wrote, the US regarded him as an enemy who focused attacks on US forces in Afghanistan.